System having a plurality of elevator cabs and counterweights that move independently in different sections of a hoistway

ABSTRACT

An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs and counterweights in each elevator shaft. Each cab is connected to one or more spatially separated counterweights at different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cabs, cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may have one counterweight cable and may be connected to one or more counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two opposing vertical guide rails, and each guide rail is mounted at the center of one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by one or more lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can also be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part ofco-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/850,107, filed Mar. 25, 2013,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/009,701 filedJan. 19, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,210, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application isalso related to provisional U.S. Application No. 61/829,996, filed May31, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to an elevator system that has aplurality of elevator cabs and counterweights which move independentlyof each other in different sections of the same hoistway.

BACKGROUND

Current tall buildings have many elevator hoistways, but each hoistwayonly has one cab operating in that hoistway with one counterweight cableattached to the top center of the cab. Therefore, only one cab serviceseach floor throughout the entire hoistway, and the general publicnormally has access to every cab and every floor in the entire building.This situation leads to inefficiencies for building owners, developers,and operators who would like to construct many fewer elevator hoistwaysand operate many more elevator cabs in different vertical sections ofeach hoistway. As land increases in value in desirable urban locations,the financial pressure to construct taller and taller buildings willalso increase. Already over 15 buildings worldwide have beenconstructed, each with more than 100 floors, and at least one of thesebuildings exceeds 150 floors. Ten more buildings over 100 floors arealready under construction, and twelve more are currently planned. Ifthe number of elevator hoistways and their associated lobbies in theseand other very tall buildings can be minimized, and the number ofelevator cabs that operate in such elevator hoistways can be maximized,then the value, efficiencies, desirabilities and viability of these veryexpensive tall buildings can also be maximized.

The current situation also leads to inefficiencies and dissatisfactionsfor companies or individuals that lease or own many adjoining floors ina tall building. Many of them would like their employees, occupants andguests to be able to access all of their adjoining floors without havingto take a public elevator between such floors. Most modern companies wholease or own multiple adjoining floors in a tall building would like tohave one or more private elevators for all of its employees and gueststo use, for reasons of privacy, security, efficiency, and commonality.The same is true for tall residential buildings, where one individual orfamily leases or owns several adjoining floors. Many employees currentlywaste a lot of time, effort and their company's money by having to leavethe company's premises, go out into a public lobby, wait for a crowdedpublic elevator cab moving the entire length of a long hoistway, andthen having to re-enter the company's premises on another floor, not tomention the return trip to the employees desk on the original floor.Company's secrets can also be compromised or lost during this process.But until now private elevators for each of such companies, individualsor residences have been either impossible to construct, too impractical,too inflexible, or extremely costly.

SUMMARY

The present invention involves an elevator system which allows buildingowners, operators or developers to construct many fewer hoistways andoperate many more elevator cabs in each hoistway. It also permits anyindividual or company which leases or owns two or more adjoining floorsin a tall building, to operate one or more private elevator cabs betweenall of such individual's or company's adjoining floors in the sameprivate vertical section of a hoistway. With this invention, a pluralityof elevator cabs can operate in different vertical sections of the samehoistway in a tall building. The top cab in a hoistway may be designedin the same manner as currently designed elevator cabs with onecounterweight cable connected to the center of the cab's roof, becausewith this invention there are no other elevator cabs moving above thetop cab which would conflict with its center connected counterweightcable. However, the counterweights, counterweight cables and otherrelated equipment of all elevator cabs below the top cab are locatedoutside of the common hoistway path so as not to interfere with themotions of any other cabs or their cables moving through the hoistway.Therefore, each counterweight, counterweight cable and other cables areconnected to its associated elevator cab at points horizontally and/orvertically shifted from all other cables. With this invention, up totwenty or more elevator cabs can operate independently of each other indifferent vertical sections of the same hoistway.

In a preferred embodiment, each elevator cab is connected to fourcounterweights by cables and their associated pulleys, which arehorizontally, vertically, and/or symmetrically separated from eachother. Each elevator cab has a separate lift motor and a separate liftcable or cables attached to it, and each lift motor cable and itsassociated pulleys are horizontally and/or vertically separated from allother cables and other equipment. All data and electric power cablesconnected to each cab and their associated pulleys are also behorizontally and/or vertically separated from other cables and otherequipment. All associated counterweights and counterweight channels ofthe elevator system are likewise horizontally and/or verticallyseparated from each other and from all other equipment. A centralcomputer control system determines and controls the motions,destinations, and functions of the cabs in the system.

The features and advantages described in the specification are not allinclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantageswill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thedrawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted thatthe language used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selectedto delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the front of a hoistway which provides anoverview of an elevator system, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of elevator cabs in a hoistway from anotherperspective highlighting the connection points of the counterweightcables and the lift cables, and how the guide track elements connect tothe cabs, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are illustrations of the top view of cabs 1, 2, 3 and 4that show how each cab is connected to, among other things, thecounterweights, the counterweight cables, the vertical guide tracks, thelift cables, and the data and electric power cables, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a front view of cab 2 that shows, amongother things, how the counterweights, the counterweight channels, thecounterweight cables, the guides and the vertical guide tracks areconnected and/or positioned with respect to cab 2, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the top of the elevator hoistway thatshows, among other things, the placement of the counterweights in theirchannels, the counterweight cables, the counterweight pulleys, and thelift motors, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the placement of the guide tracks and howthe lift motor, the lift motor pulley, and the lift cable is connectedto each of the cabs, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the operation of an elevator hoistwayhaving multiple elevator cabs moving independently of each other in thesame hoistway over a period of time, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the front of the top section and the frontof the bottom section of a hoistway which shows, among other things, twoindependently moving elevator cabs out of a plurality of possibleelevator cabs moving in the same hoistway, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9A is an illustration of the side view of a guide apparatus thatguides an elevator cab along a vertical guide track, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is an illustration of the top view of a guide apparatus thatguides an elevator cab along a vertical guide track, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the top view of the top elevator cab andits associated elements in a hoistway that contains a total of tenelevator cabs and their associated elements, wherein each cab is capableof moving independently in different vertical sections of the samehoistway, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the top view of the top elevator cab andits associated elements in a hoistway that contains a total of twentyelevator cabs, and their associated elements, wherein each cab iscapable of moving independently in different vertical sections of thesame hoistway, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the side view of a one hundred twentystory building which contains a plurality of elevator cabs, each capableof moving independently in different vertical sections of four differenthoistways, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of two different private sections of the samehoistway wherein elevator slots may be shared by two differentneighboring private elevator cabs over a period of time, according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is an illustration of the side view of one counterweightchannel that can be shared by the counterweights of a plurality ofelevator cabs, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14B, 14C and 14D illustrate the top plan views of threecounterweights taken along the respective sectional lines of FIG. 14A,each of the counterweights sharing one counterweight channel that can beshared by the counterweights of a plurality of elevator cabs, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14E is an illustration of one counterweight channel from anotherperspective that can be shared by the counterweights of a plurality ofelevator cabs, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14F and 14G are illustrations of the counterweight cables attachedto different cabs that share a counterweight channel, which shows howthe counterweight cables are routed over pulleys and are then connectedto their associated elevator cabs.

FIGS. 15A to 15D are respective illustrations of the top view of cabs 1,2, 3 and 4 in a hoistway that show how each cab is connected to, amongother things, counterweights, counterweight cables, and the verticalguide tracks, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 16A to 16D are respective illustrations of the top view of cabs 1,2, 3 and 4 in a hoistway that show how each cab is connected to, amongother things, a counterweight, a counterweight cable, a lift cable, andthe vertical guide tracks, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference tothe figures where like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. Also, in the figures, the left mostdigit(s) of each reference number corresponds to the figure in which thereference number is first used.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiments is included in at least oneembodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

The language used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selectedto delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject. Accordingly, thedisclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in theclaims.

A view from the front of an embodiment of the multi-cab elevator systemis illustrated in FIG. 1. A hoistway 100 (hereinafter also referred toas an elevator shaft) is shown containing four cabs 110. It should berecognized that the arrangement of the counterweights 120, the liftmotor cables 136, and other elements, allow for the operation of aplurality of cabs in a hoistway 100 in other embodiments of theinvention. For example, up to twenty or more elevator cabs can beoperated in a single hoistway or elevator shaft. This is made possibleby the positioning and the shape of the counterweights, as well as, thehorizontal and/or vertical offsetting of the counterweights, theircables, channels, pulleys, lift motors and other elements, as discussedbelow.

In FIG. 1, the cabs 110 operating in the hoistway 100 are all verticallyaligned. From top to bottom, the cabs are referred to as cab 1 (110A),cab 2 (110B), cab 3 (110C) and cab 4 (110D). Each of the cabs 110 iscapable of moving throughout the hoistway 100 independently of theothers, and without passing another cab, due in part to each cab havinga separate and associated lift motor 130 (not shown) and horizontallyseparated counterweight cables 210, counterweights 120, counterweightpulleys 140, lift cables 136, and lift cable pulleys 145.

The movement of the cabs 110 is driven by separate and dedicated liftmotors 130 (not shown) positioned at the top of the hoistway 100, in apreferred embodiment. In alternate embodiments, the lift motors 130 canbe placed in different locations, such as at the bottom of the hoistway100 or each lift motor 130 can be placed at different locations. Eachcab 110 is connected to a dedicated lift motor 130 (not shown) by a liftcable 136. Each lift cable 136 is attached to a cab 110 at twovertically aligned lift motor connection points 150 on the cab, e.g., onthe rear or side (not shown) of each cab 110. Each cab 110 can also beconnected to a lift motor 130 by one or more lift cables 136 attached toone or more connection points 150 on the cab, rather than asillustrated. Two lift cables 136 attached to a cab 110 (not shown) couldalso be attached to the same lift motor 130, as described below. Thelift motor connection points 150 of each cab are horizontally shiftedfrom each other to prevent interference (interaction) between cables 136of other cabs 110. For example, in FIG. 1, the lift motor connectionpoints 150 shift from right to left as the cabs 110 become lower in thehoistway 100. This allows a plurality of cabs beyond the fourillustrated in this embodiment to each be controlled by a dedicated liftmotor 130 without any obstruction caused by the lift cables 136. One endof each lift cable 136 connects to the upper lift motor connection point150 on a cab 110. Each lift cable 136 is then routed around a circularshaft of an associated lift motor 130 (not shown) located near the topof the hoistway 100. Each lift cable 136 can then be routed through afloor lift pulley 170 which can be attached to the bottom of thehoistway 100. Finally, the other end of each lift cable 136 can beattached to the lower of the two lift motor connection points 150.

In an embodiment, the top cab 110A is connected to two counterweights120A located at the rear of the hoistway 100. In an alternateembodiment, one larger counterweight 120 may be connected to cab 110A.In another embodiment, all counterweights 120 are located on the sidesof the cabs 110 that travel through the length of the hoistway 100. Eachof the counterweights 120 can be connected to a cab 110 by acounterweight cable 210 (not numbered) running through one of thecounterweight pulleys 140 located at the top of the hoistway 100. Thecounterweight pulleys 140 can be horizontally and/or verticallyseparated from each other. Different sized pulleys account for differentspacing between the cabs 110 and the counterweights 120. Alternatively,multiple pulleys can be used to vary the spacing between the cabs 110and counterweights 120. The counterweights 120 are all guided throughindividual counterweight channels 410 in order to control the motion ofthe counterweights 120 and to avoid interference or collisions betweencounterweights 120. The counterweights 120 and counterweight channels410 can be horizontally shifted from each other in order to provideunencumbered access to each of the other elements and avoid interferencewith other elevator equipment.

The bottom cab, cab 4 110D, can have a spring 180 or another collisiondampening device on the bottom of the cab 110D as a safety precaution.In the unlikely event of a collision between the bottom of the hoistway100 and cab 4 110D, the spring mitigates the damage from impact. Allcabs 110 can have a bumper 160 or another collision dampening safetydevice on the top of the cab. The bumpers 160 are similarly used as asafety precaution to lessen the unlikely impact of a collision betweentwo of the cabs 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective of the elevator system, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cabs 110A,110B, 110C, 110D, move along two guide tracks 230 on each side of thehoistway 100 that run the length of the hoistway. Each cab 110 isengaged with two opposing guide tracks 230 positioned vertically at thecenter of the hoistway 100, by utilizing guides or guide apparatuses220. Guide apparatuses 220 are attached to opposing sides of each cab110 (some are not shown). While illustrated as wheels, the guides 220may also include “U”-shaped prongs which can serve as brakes andstabilizers. Different types of guides or guide apparatuses can also beused, some providing guidance and others providing brakes, balance,guidance and stabilization. In a preferred embodiment, each of thedepicted cabs 110 has four guides 220, two on opposite exterior sides ofeach cab and aligned vertically one above the other at the upper centerand lower center of each side of each cab 110. Each cab 110 may alsohave only two guides 220, one on each exterior side of the cab. Variousnumbers and kinds of guides and guide tracks can be used. Having twoopposing vertical guide tracks at the center of each side of a hoistway,rather than one at each corner of a hoistway as in some other systems,provides more balanced weight distribution, and lower maintenance costsin certain situations. The use of two guide tracks also causes lessfriction between the guides and the guide tracks which results in moreefficient operation of the elevator system.

In an embodiment, two of the guides 220 are positioned substantiallyalong a center axis or plane of a first wall of each cab 110 and twoguides 220 are positioned substantially along a center axis or plane ofa second wall of each cab 110, where in one embodiment the first andsecond walls of each cab 110 are substantially parallel. Thecounterweights for cab 110A are connected to the cab at counterweightconnection point 240A, which can be located at the center of the roof ofcab 110A. In alternate embodiments, cab 110A is connected to a differentnumber of counterweights 120, e.g., four counterweights horizontallyseparated in a manner similar to the other cabs 110B, 110C, and 110D. Inalternate embodiments all cabs 110 have multiple counterweightconnection points 240 horizontally separated from each other, forexample, similar to those described below.

In one embodiment, the remaining cabs, e.g., cab 110B, cab 110C and cab110D, can each be connected to four counterweights 120, with twocounterweights located on either side of each cab 110 (not shown). Thecounterweight connection points 240 on the three lower cabs 110 arehorizontally shifted in order to avoid interference with one another.Instead of one counterweight connection point 240A at the top center ofthe top cab 110A, there can be four counterweight connection points 240located on the top cab 110A, where four counterweight connection points240 can be positioned symmetrically along upper sides of cab 110A (notshown), similar to the three lower cabs 110. As shown on FIG. 2, the twocounterweight connection points 240 located on each side of the lowerthree cabs 110 can be symmetrically positioned on each side of the guidetracks 230, and can be shifted horizontally from each other so that noneof the connection points 240 or their associated counterweight cables210 will interfere with each other.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are lift motor connection points 150A, 150B,150C, and 150D located respectively at the rear of each cab 110A, 110B,110C and 110D, and each lift cable connection point 150 is shiftedhorizontally from each of the other lift cable connection points 150 ofeach cab. A lift cable 136 can be attached to each lift cable connectionpoint 150 then routed up a side of the hoistway 100 and connected to alift motor 130 (not shown) in order to provide vertical motion for eachcab 110. All lift cables 136 can be horizontally shifted from eachother.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate a top view of each of the cabs 110in one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3A thelocation of the counterweights 120A for cab 110A is different than thatof the other three cabs, in this embodiment. The counterweightconnection points 240A for cab 110A are located at the center of the topof the cab 110A rather than on the sides of the cab. The counterweightconnection points 240A are not implemented in this fashion on the othercabs below cab 110A because there is a cab above such other cabs whichwould interfere with a centrally located counterweight connection point240. The counterweight connection points 240A at the top center of cab110A can be connected by two counterweight cables 210A (not shown) tothe counterweights 120A located at the rear of the hoistway 100 at twocounterweight connection eyes 350A located on the top center ofcounterweights 120A. As illustrated, the other counterweights 120B, 120Cand 120D can be located on interior dividing walls 360 which are locatedwithin the hoistway 100. Interior dividing walls 360, located betweenthe hoistway/shaft wall and a cab wall, allow counterweights and otherequipment to be located on both sides of the dividing wall 360. This canincrease the number of counterweights and cabs that can operate in asingle hoistway. Any dividing wall 360 can be extended to span the widthof a hoistway 100. Counterweights 120 can also be located on a hoistwaywall 800 (not shown) rather than on a dividing wall. However, dividingwalls can allow significant flexibility in the selection and placementof counterweights. By utilizing a dividing wall 360, a large number ofcounterweights can be positioned in a hoistway which can allow more cabs110 to operate in a hoistway. In some instances, counterweights can beconstructed in long and narrow shapes, or other shapes, in order toreduce the horizontal space occupied. Counterweight wells (not shown)can be constructed at the bottom of a hoistway to provide for longcounterweights, and therefore permit cabs to have a full range ofvertical motion. The counterweights used by the cabs 110 do not need tobe of the same size or shape. The most important requirement for allcounterweights is that they save energy and keep each cab 110 evenlybalanced as it moves through a hoistway. A lift cable 136A for cab 110Ais shown at the right rear of cab 110A. It can be connected to a liftcable connection point 150A which is attached to cab 110A. A data andelectric power cable 300A for cab 110A, as shown in FIG. 3A, can belocated at the right center of the rear of cab 110A. It is connected toa data and power connection point 330A which is attached to cab 110A. Asshown on FIG. 3A, all of the connection points 150, 240 and 330 for allof the cabs 110 are horizontally separated from each other, in oneembodiment.

FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate a top view of cabs 110B, 110C, and 110Drespectively in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.All of these cabs 110 have horizontally separated counterweight 120locations. In an embodiment, four counterweights 120 are connectedsymmetrically to counterweight connection points 240 at the upper sidesof each cab 110, such that two counterweights are on each opposing sideof each cab 110. In other words, by sectioning the top of the cab intoquadrants, when viewed from the top plan view, there is onecounterweight 120 and one counterweight cable connection point 240 foreach quadrant of each cab 110. This arrangement, with four connectionpoints 240 connected to four counterweights 120, provides balancesuperior to conventional configurations. In one embodiment, in order tooptimize balance, the two counterweight connection points 240 located oneach side of each cab 110 are placed symmetrically and equidistant fromthe guides 220 on that side. As discussed above, the horizontal distancebetween the counterweight connection points 240 and the guides 220 aredifferent for each cab 110 in order to prevent interference between thevarious counterweights, cables and pulleys. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 3B, the counterweight connection points 240B for cab 110 can bepositioned so that an axis or plane formed between opposite connectionpoints 240 passes through or near to the two-dimensional center of thetop of cab 110. In other words, an imaginary axis or plane betweencounterweight connection point 240B in the rear left quadrant of cab110B and counterweight connection point 240B in the front right quadrantof cab 110B passes at or near to the two-dimensional center of the topof cab 110B (e.g., near the center of bumper 160B in the two-dimensionalperspective of FIG. 3B). Similarly an imaginary axis betweencounterweight connection point 240B in the rear right quadrant of cab110B and counterweight connection point 240B in the front left quadrantof cab 110B passes at or near to the center of the top of cab 110B. Thisassists in balancing and stabilizing the cabs 110 and reducing thetorque on the guides 220. The positioning and placement of thecounterweight connection points for cabs 110B, 110C and 110D are similarto those of cab 110B.

Similarly, the lift motor connection point 150 and the lift cable 136 onthe rear of each of the cabs 110 are horizontally shifted from eachother on each cab 110 in the hoistway 100 to prevent interferencebetween the lift motor connection points 150 and lift cables 136 of eachcab 110. Alternatively, these lift motor connection points 150 could belocated on one or the other sides of the cab, and as close to thecentral guides 220 as possible for purposes of balancing the cab 110 asit moves vertically through the hoistway 100.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, four counterweightconnection points 240B can be symmetrically located equidistant andnearest to the guide tracks 230 and the guides 220B on each side of thehoistway 100. The four counterweight connection points 240B can bealigned with and connected to four counterweight cables 210B and each ofsuch cables can be routed up and over a counterweight cable pulley 140B(not shown) and then can be connected to its associated counterweight120B. A lift cable 136B attached to a lift connection point 150B on therear of cab 110B can connect to a lift motor 130B (not shown) to enablevertical movement of the cab. The lift motor connection point 150B canbe horizontally shifted from all other lift motor connection points 150of other cabs to avoid interference with other cables. A data andelectric power cable 300B can be attached to a data and electric powerconnection point 330B on the rear of cab 110B and then can connect toits associated data and electric power source located within thehoistway 100 (not shown). Two guides 220B can be attached to each sideof the cab 110B (the guides for the lower cabs 110 are directly belowthose shown) and can be aligned with the opposing vertical guide tracks230, and they guide cab 110B as it moves vertically along the length ofthe hoistway 100.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, four counterweightconnection points 240C can be symmetrically located equidistant to theguide tracks 230 and the guides 220C on each side of the hoistway 100.The four counterweight connection points 240C can be aligned with andconnected to four counterweight cables 210C and each of such cables canbe routed up and over a counterweight cable pulley 140C (not shown) andthen can be connected to its associated counterweight 120C. A lift cable136C attached to a lift connection point 150C on the left rear of cab110C can connect to a lift motor 130C (not shown) to enable verticalmovement of the cab. The lift motor connection point 150C can behorizontally shifted from all other lift motor connection points 150 ofother cabs to avoid interference with other cables. A data and electricpower cable 300C can be attached to a data and electric power connectionpoint 330C on the left center of the rear of cab 110C and it then canconnect to its associated data and electric power source located withinthe hoistway (not shown). Two guides 220C can be attached to each sideof cab 110C (the guides for the lower cab 110D are directly below thoseshown) and can be aligned with the vertical guide tracks 230, and theyguide cab 110C as it moves vertically along the length of the hoistway100.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, four counterweightconnection points 240D can be symmetrically located equidistant to theguide tracks 230 and the guides 220D on each side of the hoistway 100.The four counterweight connection points 240D can be aligned with andconnected to four counterweight cables 210D and each cable can be routedup and over a counterweight cable pulley 140D (not shown) and then canbe connected to its associated counterweight 120D. A lift cable 136D canbe attached to a lift connection point 150D on the left rear of cab 110Dand can connect to a lift motor 130D (not shown) to enable verticalmovement of the cab. The lift motor connection point 150D can behorizontally shifted from all other lift motor connection points 150 ofother cabs 110 to avoid interference with other cables. A data andelectric power cable 300D can be attached to a data and electric powerconnection point 330D on the left center of the rear of cab 110D and canconnect to its associated data and electric power source located withinthe hoistway 100 (not shown). Two guides 220D can be attached to eachside of cab 110D and can be aligned with the vertical guide tracks 230D,and they guide cab 110D as it moves vertically through the length of thehoistway.

Bumpers 160 on cabs 110B, 110C, and 110D are also illustrated in FIGS.3B, 3C and 3D respectively. As described above, these bumpers canmitigate the impact of any possible collision between two cabs.Electronic and/or optical sensors 310 and chain landings 320 are alsoshown on the top of all of the cabs 110. The sensors 310 can provideinformation regarding cab locations in the hoistway 100 and can alsoprovide information about the status of cabs, e.g., movement, direction,power status etc. Chain landings 320 can be used as an additional safetydevice. In an embodiment of the present invention, horizontally and/orvertically shifted electric power and data cables originate near thevertical midpoint of each hoistway 100 (not shown) in order to minimizethe distance to the cabs at any given time, and to prevent interferenceor storage of such cables. The data cables can provide and receivenecessary data and information to and from a central control computer.Each of the cabs 110 can have a cab control panel 370 located on a frontinterior side of the cab. Wherever a connection point is described inany embodiment of this invention it may take the form of a rod, an eye,or some other connection device, and vice-versa.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective from the front of cab 110B. In anembodiment, two guides 220B can be attached to the right side exteriorwall 430 of cab 110B, and two guides 220B can be attached to the leftside exterior wall 430 of cab 110B. The two front counterweights 120Bare shown on either side of cab 110B, and each counterweight 120B can beconnected to the cab's counterweight connection points 240B by acounterweight cable 210B. Two additional counterweights connected to cab110B by counterweight cables 210B can be behind the guide tracks 230,but are not illustrated in FIG. 4. Each of the counterweights 120 in theelevator system can be guided by a counterweight channel 410 which runsthe length of the hoistway 100. As shown on FIG. 4, the two frontcounterweights 120B can be guided in the two counterweight channels 410Blocated on opposing sides of the hoistway 100. Two other counterweightchannels 410B can be located behind those shown, and guide the two rearcounterweights 120B (not shown) as the cab 110B moves through thehoistway 100. Each counterweight 120B can be connected to cab 110B by acounterweight cable 210B, which can be attached to a counterweight cableconnection point 240B on the cab 110B and to a counterweight cableconnection eye 350B or some other connection device positioned on thetop of each counterweight 120B. A lift cable 136B can be attached to therear of the cab 110B by two vertically aligned lift motor connectionpoints 150B. In one embodiment, the control equipment 460 for the cab110B can be located in the bottom portion of the cab. The controlequipment 460 can also be located in the top and side portions of thecab. Among other things, the control equipment governs breaking, openingand closing of doors, leveling of a cab with building floors, and themovement of a cab 110 through a hoistway 100, ensuring that passengersreach their destination without incident. Sensor chains 440 can beattached to the bottom of cab 110B in order to help detect the locationof nearby cabs 110 in the hoistway 100. Similarly, electronic and/oroptical sensors 310B can be located on the top and bottom of each cab.They can sense obstructions that may be located either above or belowthe cab 110 and can assist in identifying the location of a cab 110 inthe hoistway 100. As previously mentioned, a bumper 160B can be locatedon top of a cab 110 should a collision occur between cab 110B andanother cab from above.

FIG. 5 illustrates the configuration of counterweights 120 andcounterweight channels 410 at the top of a hoistway 100, as well as theassociated cables, pulleys and lift motors, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. For example, in one embodimentcounterweight channels 410A and counterweights 120A for cab 110A can beplaced along a wall 360 at the rear of the hoistway 100, in contrast tothe placement of the other counterweights 120 and counterweight channels410, in this embodiment. As show in in FIG. 5, counterweights 120A canbe connected to cab 110A (not shown) by counterweight cables 210A. Eachof the counterweight cables 210A can run through counterweight cablepulleys 140A located above the counterweight channels 410A and throughtwo other counterweight cable pulleys 140A located above the center ofcab 110A (not shown). Counterweight channels 410A for cab 110A can behorizontally and/or vertically shifted from four lift motors 130A, 130B,130C, 130D in order to prevent any interferences and allow unencumberedaccess to each of these elements. This also preserves space and allowsadditional motors to be positioned for additional cabs. In anembodiment, lift motor 130A can be connected to cab 110A by lift cable136A which can be wrapped around circular lift motor shaft 610 (notshown). The other motors 130 are similarly connected to their associatedcabs 110. The placement of the counterweights for cab 110A at the rearof the hoistway is due to preference only. In alternate embodiments theposition of counterweights 120A and counterweight channels 410A for cab110A can vary, for example, they can be similar to the orientation setforth below with reference to cabs 110B, 110C and 110D. These alternateembodiments for locations of the counterweights 120 and counterweightchannels 410 can also be useful to allow for doors on both the front andrear of the cabs 110.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, counterweight channels 410Bfor cab 110B can be located nearest to and on both sides of the guidetracks 230 on either side of the hoistway 100. In other embodiments, thecounterweight channels 410 can be positioned elsewhere, provided thatthe channels, counterweights, pulleys and related cables associated witheach cabs are horizontally and/or vertically shifted and do notinterfere with each other. Pulleys 140B can be located above thecounterweight channels 410B and route the counterweight cables 210B fromthe counterweights 120B to their associated counterweight connectionpoints 240B on cab 110B (not shown). Lift motor 130B can be horizontallyshifted from the other lift motors 130A, 130C, 130D and can be connectedto the rear of cab 110B by lift cable 136B to enable movement of cab110B.

According to an embodiment, each counterweight channel 410C for cab 110Ccan be located adjacent to a counterweight channel 410B, on the oppositeside of each interior shaft divider wall 360. Pulleys 140C can belocated above the counterweight channels 410C and can route thecounterweight cables 210C (not numbered) from counterweights 120C totheir associated counterweight connection points 240C on the sides ofcab 110C (not shown). Lift motor 130C can be horizontally shifted fromthe other motors 130A, 130B, 130D, and can be connected to the rear ofcab 110C by a lift cable 136A (not shown) to enable movement of cab110C.

Each counterweight channel 410D for cab 110D can be located adjacent toa counterweight channel 410C on a side of each interior shaft dividerwall 360 and nearest to the front and rear of the hoistway 100. Pulleys140D can be located above the counterweight channels 410D and can routethe counterweight cables 210D (not numbered) from the counterweights120D to their associated counterweight connection points 240D on thesides of cab 110D (not shown). Lift motor 130D can be horizontallyshifted from the other lift motors 130A, 130B, 130C, and can beconnected to the rear of cab 110D by a lift cable 136D (not shown) toenable movement of cab 110D.

Instead of an interior shaft divider wall, all of the counterweightchannels can be positioned along elevator shaft walls 800 (not shown).

In an embodiment, the counterweight channels 410 and counterweights 120for cabs 110B, 110C and 110D can also be stacked back-to-back orside-to-side on the walls of the hoistway 100. This method ofpositioning counterweights 120 and their associated channels 410 cangreatly increase the number of cabs that an elevator system is able tooperate in the same hoistway, as will be illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG.11. The counterweight pulleys 140 positioned along either side of thehoistway 100 can be horizontally and/or vertically shifted in a mannersimilar to the counterweights in order to allow for operation of moreelevator cabs 110. In an alternate embodiment, the counterweights 120and counterweight channels 410 can be positioned external to thehoistway 100 (not shown).

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a lift motor system which can be usedfor each cab 110 in accordance with one embodiment. In an embodiment,the lift motor system illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar for all cabs 110although the particular positioning of the lift cable connection points150 relative to the lift cables 136 may vary symmetrically, horizontallyand/or vertically. In an embodiment, a vertical guide track 230 runsalong the vertical center of two opposing sides of a hoistway 100 andeach guide track 230 engages with two guides 220 located at the topcenter and bottom center of two opposing exterior sides 430 of each cab110. The two guides 220 can be vertically aligned with the two guidetracks 230 and move vertically along the guide track 230 through thehoistway 100. Two lift motor connection points 150 can be positioned onan exterior wall 430 of each cab 110 and can be vertically aligned witheach other. One end of a lift cable 136 can be attached to the top liftcable connection point 150. The lift cable 136 can then be routed up thehoistway and around a circular rotating shaft 610 of a lift motor 130,which can be located near the top of the hoistway 100. The lift cable136 can then be routed down the length of the hoistway 100 and around afloor pulley 170 which can be pulled toward the floor by a tractionspring 620 which can be attached to the basement floor 600. The tractionspring 620 can provide the required tension and traction to enable alift motor 130 to pull a cab 110 up and/or down the guide track 230 asthe cab is guided and stabilized by the guide apparatuses 220. The liftcable 136 can then be routed back up the hoistway and attached to thebottom lift cable connection point 150 located near the bottom of thecab exterior wall 430. It is also envisioned that one lift cableconnection point 150 may serve to connect both ends of a lift cable 136to each cab 110. Between the lift cable connection points 150, the liftcable 136 can become somewhat circular and continuous Like the elevatorcounterweight system, this lift motor system can eliminate the need forany cable storage. According to embodiments, counterweight cables andlift motor cables described herein, can be made of carbon fiber, steelor combinations thereof.

While it is feasible in some embodiments for one hoistway to beutilized, e.g., in a deep mine shaft, in a tall tower, or as a privateelevator between adjoining floors of a building, two or more hoistwayscan be utilized in other embodiments for increased passenger occupancyand convenience. With a plurality of hoistways, the central elevatorcontrol system can alternate and coordinate the direction which the cabsin each hoistway are traveling, in effect creating a circular trafficpattern of elevator cabs. Proper coordination of the directions thatcabs are traveling can minimize the delays that passengers experience.The computer control system can ensure that enough cabs for properservice can be traveling in each one-way direction. Two hoistways withmultiple elevator cabs can be expected to be sufficient for manybuildings with 40 or more floors. In one embodiment, it is estimatedthat an additional hoistway can be added for each additional 40 floorsthat a tall building has.

In an embodiment, FIG. 7 illustrates the general operation of a hoistwayover time with four cabs, 1, 2, 3, 4, operating in a hoistway. In FIG.7, a hoistway containing four cabs is shown at 7 different points intime, 9:05 A.M. through 9:11 A.M., in order to demonstrate the operationof the multiple cab hoistway system, according to one embodiment. At9:05, cab 1 is located at floor 1 with passengers entering cab 1, andthe rest of the cabs 2, 3, and 4, are located in basement slots 710. Thebasement slots 710 may be located on floors used for parking cars andother uses. At 9:06, cab 1 moves up the hoistway to transport passengersto upper floors and the other cabs move up one floor in order to take onpassengers and prepare to transport them to upper destinations. At 9:07,cab 2 moves up the hoistway and begins to load and unload passengers atvarious floors. Then cab 3 moves up to floor 1 to permit passengers toenter the cab. At 9:08 cab 1 has delivered all of its passengers, cabs 2and 3 are still transporting passengers, and cab 4 has moved up to floor1 in order to load passengers. By 9:08 cab 1 has moved to the atticslots 720 in order to allow the other cabs to service any of the upperfloors in the hoistway. People transferring from parked cars on basementfloors 710 should use cabs 2, 3 and 4 to arrive at their desired upperdestinations.

By 9:09, cab 1 has moved up to attic slot A3 in order to make room forcab 2 and cab 3 in the other attic slots. Cab 2 is unloading passengerson floor 10 and cab 3 is still servicing floors 7 through 10. Cab 4 isstill servicing passengers on floor 3. By 9:10, the lower cabs 3 and 4continue to travel upwards while transporting passengers, and eventuallythey will dock at the highest floor possible. By 9:11 all of the cabshave moved up and docked at the highest possible slots in the hoistway.At this point, a similar process is begun in the opposite direction. Allfour cabs progressively move down the hoistway loading and unloadingpassengers until all of the lowest hoistway floors are again filled withdocked elevator cabs. At this point in time the above described processbegins all over again.

Attic slots 720 and basement slots 710 are constructed and used toenable all cabs to service all of the occupied floors in a building (inthis case, floors 1-10). If attic hoistway slots A1 to A3 were notavailable, only cab 1 would be able to service floor 10. Cab 1 would notbe able to move out of the way and allow the other cabs to reach floor10. A similar problem would occur if there were no basement hoistwayslots, B1 to B3. The hoistway can still operate if attic and basementslots are not included, but certain cabs would not be able to provideservice to certain floors.

An advantage of this invention is that in addition to future buildings,many existing buildings can effectively and inexpensively be retrofittedfor compatibility with the present invention. In an embodiment, theelements of this invention can be contained within an existing hoistway.In an embodiment, this elevator system does not need to store cables dueto the arrangement of cables, pulleys, counterweights and lift motors.In an embodiment, some of the cables, pulleys, lift motors and otherequipment can be located outside of a common hoistway, including above,below, or to the sides of a hoistway. In an embodiment, by utilizingmultiple cabs in a single hoistway, a building can achieve additionalelevator and passenger capacity while eliminating one or more hoistwaysand elevator lobbies and converting those hoistways and lobbies torevenue producing space on each floor. The space used for elevatorsupport or equipment throughout a building can also be reduced byeliminating one or more hoistways.

Modifications can be made to the present invention in order to allowopposing doors to be used on each end of the cabs 110. For example,while not illustrated, all of the counterweights, channels, cables,pulleys, and related equipment which would impede access to a rear cabdoor can be moved to the edges of the rear and/or front of a hoistway,or to the sides of a hoistway, or positioned on either side of adividing wall 360 or a shaft wall 800 (not shown). While useful forfuture buildings, the present invention is also compatible with existingbuildings, existing hoistways, and existing elevator systems.

Attic and basement hoistway slots can also be used to store cabs andsuspend operation of certain cabs. This can help to reduce operatingcosts during low usage periods such as nights, weekends and holidays inan office building. The computer control system can also select a cab toservice only a certain subset of floors, which can help with hightraffic periods in some tall buildings, with conventions occurring oncertain floors, or with a certain number of floors that are dedicated toone company with an abnormally high number of employees. Instead of useby passengers, elevator cabs of the current invention can also beadapted for use by automobiles (i.e. a vertical garage) or merchandiseand materials on moveable pallets (i.e. a vertical warehouse).

The above text and figures describe various embodiments with respect toa tall building. It is also envisioned that alternate embodiments of thepresent invention can be utilized by a deep mine (underground), a tallthin tower, or integrated with horizontal movement systems.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a multi-cab elevator system having aplurality of possible elevator cabs 110 moving independently of eachother in the same hoistway 100. For example, ten cabs 110 (110A, 110B,110C, 110D, 110E, 110F, 110G, 110H, 110I, 110J) can move independentlyof each other in the same hoistway 100 (see FIG. 10). In one embodiment,as illustrated in FIG. 8, the top cab 110A, and the bottom cab 110J, canbe respectively located in the top section and in the bottom section ofa hoistway 100. All of the cabs 110 in hoistway 100 can be verticallyaligned and move independently from one another without passing oneanother.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the topmost cab 110A, can beconnected to four counterweights 120A which can be located near to thebottom of the hoistway 100 (the other two counterweights 120A can bebehind those shown), utilizing four counterweight cables 210A (the othertwo cables 210A are behind those shown). Each of the four counterweights120A can be guided within a separate counterweight channel 410A, onecounterweight 120A guided within one counterweight channel 410A. Eachcounterweight cable 210A can be attached to a counterweight connectionpoint 240A (the other two counterweight connection points 240A can bebehind those shown) located along the top of each exterior side 430A ofcab 110A, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Each counterweight cable 210A canbe routed up and over a counterweight pulley 140A (the other pulleys140A can be positioned behind those shown), and then down eachcounterweight channel 410A. Each of the counterweight cables 210A canthen be attached to the top of each associated counterweight 120A (theother counterweights 120B to 120I can be located vertically betweencounterweights 120A and 120J, and are not shown). Cab 110A can have atleast one dedicated lift motor 130A which can be located on an atticfloor 810 of the building. In another embodiment, the lift motor 130Acan be located on the basement floor 600, or elsewhere. A lift cable136A can be connected between the lift motor 130A and the lift cableconnection points 150A located on the rear of cab 110A (points 150A arenot shown). Cab 110A can be guided along two opposing vertical guidetracks 230 attached to the center of each opposing hoistway wall 800.Guide apparatuses 220A can be attached to the center of each exteriorside wall 430A of cab 110A, one at the top center of cab 110A and theother at the bottom center of cab 110A, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the bottommost cab 110J, canbe connected to four counterweights 120J which can be located near thetop of the hoistway 100 (the other two counterweights 120J can be behindthose shown), utilizing four counterweight cables 210J (the other twocables 210J can be behind those shown). Each of the four counterweights120J can be guided within a separate counterweight channel 410J, onecounterweight 120J guided within one counterweight channel 410J. Eachcounterweight cable 210J can be attached to a counterweight connectionpoint 240J (the other two points 240J can be behind those shown) locatedalong the top of each exterior side 430J of cab 110J, as illustrated inFIG. 10. Each counterweight cable 210J can be routed up and over acounterweight pulley 140J (the other pulleys 140J can be behind thoseshown), and then down each counterweight channel 410J. Each of thecounterweight cables 210J can then be attached to the top of eachassociated counterweight 120J (the other counterweights 120B through120I can be located vertically between counterweights 120A and 120J, andare not shown). Cab 110J can have at least one dedicated lift motor 130Jwhich can be located on an attic floor 810 of the building. In anotherembodiment, the lift motor 130J can be located on the basement floor600, or elsewhere. A lift cable 136J can be connected between the liftmotor 130J and the lift connection points 150J located on the rear ofcab 110J (points 150J are not shown). Cab 110J can be guided along twoopposing vertical guide tracks 230 attached to the center of eachopposing hoistway wall 800. Guide apparatuses 220J can be attached tothe center of each exterior side wall 430J of cab 110J, one at the topcenter of cab 110J and the other at the bottom center of cab 110J, asillustrated in FIG. 8.

In an embodiment, cabs 110B through 110I can be located vertically inalphabetical order between cab 110A and cab 110J, but are not shown inFIG. 8. The primary differences between any of such cabs 110A through110J is the different horizontal position of their associatedcounterweights (120A to 120J), of their associated counterweightchannels (410A to 410J), of their associated counterweight cableconnection points (240A to 240J), of their associated counterweightcables (210A to 210J), of their associated lift cables (136A to 136J),of their associated lift cable connection points 150A to 150J (notshown), of their associated data and electric power cables 300A to 300J(not shown), of their associated data and electric power connectionpoints 330A to 330 (not shown), and of the pulleys 140 associated withcabs 110A through 110J, as shown in FIG. 8.

It should be recognized that the configuration of the counterweights,channels, connection points, cables, pulleys and motor systems permitless than ten cabs 110 or more than ten cabs 110 (i.e. 20 cabs, see FIG.11) to move independently in the same hoistway 100.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the guideapparatus 220 may comprise a “U” shaped prong 900, an axle 920, a wheel910 and two washers 930. The steel prong 900 can be shaped somewhat likea musician's tuning fork. The axle 920 can be positioned into twoaligned and opposing holes on the prong, and each hole can be positionedon an opposing arm of the prong 900. The axle 920 may be welded to theprong 900 for purposes of stabilization. In an embodiment, the axle 920can be positioned through the center of the wheel 910, and the twowashers 930 can be positioned around the axle 920, one on each side ofthe wheel 910. All of such elements may be made of substances other thansteel as long as they are sufficiently strong and rigid. A verticalguide track 230 mounted along the center of an elevator hoistway wall800 can be positioned between each arm of the prong 900 of the guideapparatus 220 so that they engage each other. The guide track 230 canremain in firm contact with each wheel 910. In an embodiment, a guideapparatus 220 can be positioned at the top center and at the bottomcenter of each exterior side 430 of each cab 110 (not shown). As cab 110moves up and down the hoistway 100 each guide apparatus 220 can guidethe cab 110 along the guide track 230, and the wheel 910 can rotatearound the axle 920, keeping the cab 110 firmly against the guide track230 in a straight line path.

FIG. 10 illustrates how the counterweights (120A to 120J) for each ofthe ten elevator cabs (110A to 110J) operating within the hoistway 100can be aligned, positioned and connected to their associated cabs (110Ato 110J) and can be positioned relative to each other, to each cab'sassociated counterweight channels (410A to 410J), to each cab'sassociated counterweight cable connection points (240A to 240J), to eachcab's associated counterweight cables (210A to 210J), to the verticalguide tracks 230, to each cab's guide apparatuses 220 (the other guides220B to 220J can be behind those shown), to each cab's associated liftcable connection points 150A to 150J (some are not numbered), to eachcab's lift cables 136A to 136J, to each cab's associated data andelectric power connection points 330A to 330J, and to each cab's dataand electric power cables 300A to 300J (some are not numbered),according to one embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, each cab 110A to 110J can be connected tofour associated counterweights 120A to 120J by means of four associatedcounterweight cables 210A to 210J (some are not numbered), eachconnected to an associated quadrant of each cab 110. Each counterweight(120A to 120J) can move in a vertical path within its associatedcounterweight channel (410A to 410J) through the hoistway 100, whichpath can be aligned with each counterweight's associated counterweightcable connection point (240A to 240J). Each connection point 240 can behorizontally and symmetrically positioned in each quadrant of each cab110. One end of each counterweight cable (210A to 210J) can be attachedto each cab (110A to 110J) at an associated counterweight cableconnection point (240A to 240J) which can be positioned horizontally andsymmetrically along the top of the exterior side wall 430 of eachquadrant of each cab (110A to 110J). The other end of each counterweightcable (210A to 210J) can be routed over an associated counterweightcable pulley 140A to 140J (not shown) and then can be attached to anassociated counterweight connection eye 350A to 350J (not shown) locatedat a top center of each associated counterweight (120A to 120J). Some ofthe counterweight cables 210 are not separately identified. Eachcounterweight (120A to 120J) can be guided through a separate andassociated counterweight channel (410A to 410J) horizontally andsymmetrically positioned adjacent to each quadrant of each cab 110 inorder to control the movement of each counterweight 120 through thehoistway 100 and to avoid interaction or interference between othercabs, other counterweights, and other cables.

For example, the topmost cab 110A can be connected to four associatedcounterweights 120A by four counterweight cables 210A. Each of the fourcounterweights 120A for cab 110A can be symmetrically positioned in aquadrant of a cab 110A and can be positioned nearest to each corner ofcab 110A which helps to balance cab 110A as it moves through a hoistway100. Each counterweight 120A can be guided within its associatedcounterweight channel 410A (some channels 410 are not separatelynumbered) and can connect to cab 110A by four counterweight cables 210A(some cables 210 are not separately numbered) at four associatedcounterweight connection points 240A. As illustrated in FIG. 10, eachcounterweight connection point 240A can be horizontally shifted fromeach other, and from the other connection points (240B to 240J) of othercabs (cabs 110B to 110J) to avoid any interference with the points 240.

For another example, the bottommost cab 110J can be connected to fourcounterweights 120J by four associated counterweight cables 210J. Eachof the four counterweights 120J for cab 110J can be symmetricallylocated in a quadrant of cab 110J and can be positioned nearest to eachguide track 230 on each side of a hoistway 100. This helps to balancecab 110J as it moves through a hoistway 100. Each counterweight 120J canbe guided within its associated counterweight channel 410J and canconnect to cab 110J by four associated counterweight cables 210J at fourassociated counterweight connection points 240J. As illustrated in FIG.10, each counterweight connection point 240J can be horizontally shiftedfrom each other, and from the other connection points (240A to 240I) ofother cabs (cabs 110A to 110I) to avoid any interference with thepoints.

The embodiments of the other eight cabs (110B to 110I) can besubstantially the same as those of cab 110A and cab 110J just described,except that the positions of their counterweights (120B to 120I), oftheir counterweight connection points (240B to 240I), of their relatedcounterweight cables (210B to 420I), of their counterweight channels(410B to 410I), and of their associated pulleys (not shown), can be atpositions which are horizontally and/or vertically shifted from all ofthe others, as shown in FIG. 10.

Each lift motor 130 (not shown) for cabs 110A to 110J can have at leastone lift cable 136. Each lift cable (136A to 136J) can be attached to anassociated lift cable connection point 150A to 150J (some are notnumbered). As illustrated in FIG. 10, each lift cable 136 can beattached to a lift cable connection point 150 which is positioned asclose as possible to a guide apparatus 220 for purposes of balance andstability. Each lift cable 136 positioned in this manner can behorizontally and/or vertically shifted from each other in order to avoidany interference between the cables.

In an alternate embodiment, as also illustrated in FIG. 10, each cab(110A through 110J), instead of having just one lift motor cable 136,may instead have two or more lift motor cables 136 positionedsymmetrically along the exterior of the rear and front of each cab 110Athrough 110J. For example, two lift cables 136A can be connected andpositioned symmetrically on opposite corners of cab 110A and functiontogether with lift motor 130A (not shown) to simultaneously lift cab110A. Similarly, two or more lift cables 136J can be connected andpositioned symmetrically on different opposite corners of cab 110J andfunction together with lift motor 130J (not shown) to simultaneouslylift cab 110J. Similar configurations of two lift cables (136B to 136I)can apply to cabs 110B through 110I. As shown on FIG. 10, all liftcables 136A through 136J can be horizontally shifted from one anotherand can be attached to associated lift cable connection points 150A to150J (some are not numbered).

In an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 10, ten dataand electric power cables (300A through 300J) can be positionedsymmetrically along the center of the exterior rear wall 430 of each cab110. Each such cable (300A to 300J) can be connected to an associateddata and electric power connection point 330A to 330J (some points 330are not numbered), and each point 330 can be shifted horizontally fromeach other point 330 in order to avoid any interference between thepoints. In another embodiment, the data and electric cables 300 andpoints 330 may be located elsewhere on each cab 110.

There can be two or more electronic and/or optical sensors 310 (notshown) positioned on the top of each cab (110A through 110J), and therealso can be two or more electronic and/or optical sensors positioned onthe bottom of each cab (not shown). Cab control panels 370 (not shown)may be located on the interior of the front walls of each cab (110Athrough 110J). Whenever the term ‘eye’ is used herein it can also takethe form of a rod or a point. Whenever the term ‘position’ is usedherein it can also mean ‘location,’ and vice-versa.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustrating the configuration ofcounterweights, counterweight channels and connection points for twenty(or more) elevator cabs (110A to 110T) which can move independently ofone another in a hoistway 100. In this embodiment, each cab can havefour associated counterweights (120A to 120T), four associatedcounterweight cable channels (410A to 410T), four associatedcounterweight cables (210A to 210T), one or two lift motor cables (136Ato 136T), one data and electric power cable (300A to 300T) andassociated connection points and pulleys. Each element can behorizontally and/or vertically shifted from all of the othercounterweights, counterweight cables, channels, connection points,pulleys, lift cables, data and electric power cables of the other cabs110 within a hoistway 100 in order to avoid interference among them.FIG. 11 is conceptually very similar to FIG. 10, and it illustrates thetop of elevator cab 110A in a hoistway 100 that contains twenty elevatorcabs (110A to 110T), nineteen of which are not shown because they aredirectly below the top cab 110A. FIG. 11 also illustrates how fourcounterweights (120A to 120T) for each of the twenty cabs within thehoistway 100 can be connected by counterweight cables (210A to 210T) totheir associated connection points (240A to 240T) positioned on anassociated elevator cab (110A to 110T), and how all of the elements canbe positioned relative to other counterweights (120B to 120T), othercounterweight channels (410B to 410T), other counterweight cables (210Bto 210T), opposing vertical guide tracks 230, other guide apparatuses(220B to 220T) which can be positioned directly below those shown, otherlift cables (136B to 136T), other associated lift motor connectionpoints (150B to 150T) (some of which are not specifically identified),other data and electric power cables (300B to 300T), other associateddata/electric power connection points (330B to 330T) (some of which arenot specifically identified), according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In this embodiment, the placements and connections of the counterweights(120A to 120T), of the counterweight cables (210A to 210T), of thecounterweight channels (410A to 410T), of the counterweight cableconnection points (240A to 240T), and their associated pulleys whichrelate to each cab in a twenty cab hoistway can be symmetricallypositioned and horizontally and/or vertically shifted in similar fashionto the configuration, connection and motions of these elements in theten elevator cab hoistway embodiment as discussed above. Because thepositioning and operation of the lift cables (136A to 136T) and the dataand electric power cables (300A to 300T), and their associatedconnection points and pulleys can also be substantially similar to theten cab embodiment as described in FIG. 10 above, they will not bedescribed again here.

In a twenty cab elevator system embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11,there are twice as many lift cables (136A to 136T), data and electricpower cables (300A to 300T), associated lift motors (130A to 130T),associated lift motor pulleys (145A to 145T), associated lift motorconnection points (150A to 150T), and twice as many of all otherelements as described above, which are necessary for twenty cabs ascompared to the ten cab embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11,each counterweight channel (410A to 410T) and each counterweight (120Ato 120T) can be twice as long and one-half as wide as those shown in theten cab elevator system of FIG. 10. Differences in size and shape ofcounterweights 120 and their channels 410 are necessary in order tophysically accommodate twice as many counterweights 120 andcounterweight channels 410 alongside each cab (110A to 110T) in FIG. 11.

In other embodiments, more or less than ten or twenty cabs 110 and theirassociated elements may be similarly configured as in FIG. 10 and FIG.11 in order to operate independently in a multi-cab elevator hoistway100.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a 120-floor office building which containsfour different hoistways, each containing a plurality of elevator cabs,and each cab can move independently of the others in different verticalsections of the same hoistway, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the 120-floor office building isoccupied by six large companies (Company A, B, C, D, E and F), and eachcompany occupies about 20 vertically adjoining floors. In this building,there are four different elevator shafts (S1, S2, S3, S4) that servicevarious floors. FIG. 12 shows how multiple elevator cabs in each shaftmove up and down over different periods of time, according to oneembodiment.

In an embodiment of Shaft S1, there are four elevator cabs (1, 2, 3, 4)which can access all floors in the building, including all three attic(equipment & storage) floors and all three basement (parking) floors.Shaft S1, in FIG. 12, illustrates three scenarios for cabs 1-4 byshowing all four elevator cabs (1, 2, 3, 4) docked in the lowest fourfloors and waiting to ascend; all four elevator cabs (1, 2, 3, 4) dockedin the highest four floors and waiting to descend; and all four elevatorcabs (1, 2, 3, 4) moving independently of each other and going up ordown between the other floors in the building. All of these cabs (1, 2,3, 4) moving in either direction (up or down) always stop at floor 1(the street floor) to allow passengers to enter or exit. (See FIG. 7 formore details concerning this embodiment.)

In an embodiment of Shaft S2, as shown in FIG. 12, there can be tenelevator cabs (numbered 1 through 10) that move independently of eachother through vertical sections of Shaft S2. Because there are onlythree docking slots at each end of this hoistway, passengers in somecabs will have to transfer to a cab in another hoistway in order tocomplete a journey from some of the topmost floors to some of thebottommost floors, and vice-versa. Also because of the above limitation,according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of these cabscan only be permitted by the central elevator computer control system toaccess about 70% of the floors in each direction of Shaft S2.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, cabs 1, 2, 3, 4 can move upward in Shaft S2from lower floors of the building toward the top of the building andsaid four cabs (1, 2, 3, 4) can dock in the four topmost floors of thebuilding (floors A3, A2, A1 and 120), awaiting their next downwardjourney. Cabs 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 can respectively end their upwardjourneys at floors 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40. Passengers in any of thelatter six cabs who wish to continue their upward journey to a higherfloor can be advised by the building's elevator computer control systemto exit their cabs at certain floors and to take a specified cab inShaft S1 or Shaft S3 to continue their journey to their higher desireddestination floor. For example, passengers in cab 7 can be advised toexit cab 7 on floor 70 and to take cab 12, 13, 14 or 15 to floor 120.

At this point in time all cabs (1 through 10) in Shaft S2 can begintheir descent down Shaft S2 toward the designated floors where they canstop. Cabs 7, 8, 9, 10 can proceed to service floors toward thebottommost four floors (B3, B2, B1, and 1) where they can dock and awaittheir next upward journey. Cabs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 can move downwardservicing floors and can respectively end their downward journey atfloors 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, and 30 (as is similarly illustrated by cabs11 through 16 which are shown in Shaft S3). Passengers in any of thelatter six cabs who wish to continue their downward journey to floors 1,B1, B2 or B3 or other lower floors can be advised by the building'selevator computer control system to exit their cabs at certain floorsand to take a specified cab in Shaft S1 or Shaft S3 to continue theirjourney to their lower desired destination floor. For example,passengers in cab 4 can be advised to exit cab 4 at floor 50 and to takecab 17, 18 or 19 to floor 1. At this point in time the above process canbegin to repeat itself in Shaft S2.

Meanwhile, in another embodiment, there can also be ten elevator cabs(numbered 11 through 20) in Shaft S3 that can move independently of eachother through vertical sections of Shaft S3. Because there are also onlythree docking slots at each end of this hoistway in this embodiment,passengers in some cabs will also have to transfer to a cab in anotherhoistway in order to complete a journey from some of the topmost floorsto some of the bottommost floors, and vice-versa. In an embodiment, eachof these cabs is also only permitted by the central computer controlsystem to access about 70% of the floors in each direction of Shaft S3.As illustrated in FIG. 12, cabs 17, 18, 19, 20 can move downward inShaft S3 to the bottom of the building and can now dock in the fourbottommost floors (1, B1, B2 and B3), awaiting their next upwardjourney. Cabs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 can respectively end theirdownward journey at floors 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30. Passengers in any ofthe latter six cabs who wish to continue their downward journey to alower floor can be advised by the building's central elevator computercontrol system to exit their cabs at certain floors and to take aspecified cab in Shaft S1 or Shaft S2 to continue their journey to theirlower desired destination floor. For example, passengers in cab 14 canbe advised to exit cab 14 at floor 50 and to take cab 9, 8 or 7 tofloor 1. At this point in time all cabs in Shaft S3 can begin theirassent up Shaft S3 to the designated floors where they can stop (as issimilarly illustrated in Shaft S2), and the above process can begin torepeat itself in Shaft S3. The cabs in Shaft S2 and Shaft S3 can operatein conjunction with each other to service as many floors and passengersas possible in the shortest possible time periods.

Because these embodiments are so efficient and contain so many elevatorcabs, only two elevator shafts each containing ten cabs may besufficient to service the entire 120 floors of a building. Similarly,two elevator shafts which each contain twenty elevator cabs and operatein similar fashion to S2 and S3, may be sufficient to service a buildingwith over 240 floors.

In an embodiment of the present invention operated in a 160-floorbuilding, for example, the elevator system may utilize 15 or moreelevator cabs to operate at the same time in the same elevator shaft. Inan embodiment for a 200-floor building, for example, the elevator systemmay utilize 20 cabs to operate at the same time in an elevator shaft. Ineither of these embodiments, an elevator system described in FIG. 8through FIG. 11 may be utilized.

Because up to twenty or more elevator cabs can operate independently inthe same elevator shaft, only two elevator shafts may be necessary inorder to service any tall building, no matter how many floors there arein the building being serviced. For example, in one embodiment, a threehundred floor building may be adequately serviced by an elevator systemcomprising forty elevator cabs operating in two hoistways of a building.Thus, this sharing of hoistways by multiple elevator cabs can result ina great saving of cost, energy, materials, and building space, and agreat increase in cab passenger capacity in any given elevator shaft inany building.

Shaft S4, as shown in FIG. 12, illustrates an embodiment of the presentinvention in a hoistway which is dedicated to private elevators for eachof the six companies (Company A through Company F) in a building,wherein each company leases or owns about twenty adjoining floors in a120-floor building. The adjoining floors for each company coincide witheach company's private section of the hoistway and can be hereinreferred to as each company's private section of a hoistway. In anembodiment, each company may choose to have one or two private elevatorcabs operate in its private section of the hoistway S4. If company Achooses to have just one private elevator cab that will service alltwenty of its private floors (e.g. floor 101 to floor 120), then suchcab (shown as A1 in Shaft 4) can access all of A company's floorsbetween floor 101 and floor 120. In this embodiment, elevator cabcollisions cannot occur in the Company A's private section of Shaft S4.Storage slots are also unnecessary when just one elevator cab isutilized. However, the wait time for just one private elevator cab, andthe limited number of passengers that can be serviced by just one cab,may become problems for Company A.

In an alternate embodiment, Company C may choose to have two privateelevator cabs operating in its private section of Shaft S4 that willservice all twenty of its adjoining private floors (floor 61 to floor80). In this embodiment, if Company C operates two elevators cabs withinits private section of Shaft S4 both moving in the same direction, anddoes not require that both elevator cabs can access all of its adjoiningfloors in each direction, then the building's central elevator computercontrol system can handle these simple requirements without any cabcollisions or storage slots.

But if Company C requires that both cabs can access all of its floors ineach direction then, according to an embodiment, the cab slot for thefloor at each end of a private elevator shaft section may be shared bythe cabs of each neighboring company. The elevator control system maythen be programmed so that only one neighboring cab (i.e. cab B2 shownon FIG. 12) can enter the shareable slot (i.e. at floor 80 or floor 81)at the same time, and that the other neighboring cab (i.e. cab C1 shownon FIG. 12) must delay its entry into either of those shareable slotsuntil the shareable slot is empty again.

In an alternate embodiment, the elevator control system can require thatduring business hours, all private elevators in the building can onlycontinuously move in the same direction (i.e. up or down) at all timesso that each shareable slot in the direction of such motion will alwaysbe available for entry. Then during non-business hours the controlsystem can require that only one elevator can be operated in anydirection in Shaft 4, or that the nearby stairs may be infrequentlyrequired for passengers to access a certain adjacent floor. It should berealized that there are also other possible solutions for theseproblems.

If there are even twenty or more companies in the 120-floor buildingdescribed in FIG. 12 that desire to have a private elevator operatebetween their adjoining floors in the same hoistway (instead of six),this desire can also be accommodated by the computer control system andthe elevator system described in FIG. 8 through FIG. 12.

With regard to any of the above described private elevator embodiments,if a company wishes to expand into vacant adjoining floors, the elevatorcontrol system can instantly accommodate these desires by a simplecomputer program change, and without any costly or time consumingphysical changes to a private elevator cab or a private elevator shaft.The same is true if any company wishes to sell or surrender anyadjoining floors to a neighboring company. Thus it has been demonstratedthat the embodiments of present invention and its computer controlmethod have great efficiencies and flexibilities. In another embodiment,when the occupants of any of the above described private elevator floorswish to travel to the floors of another company in the building (e.g.the street level on floor 1, or any of the attic [storage] or basement[parking] floors), they can use the elevator cabs in Shaft S1 or ShaftS2 or Shaft S3 that are available for the general public.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of two different private sections in the samehoistway where elevator slots may be shared by two different neighboringelevator cabs at two different times, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 13, four companies (A, B, C, D)occupy premises with adjoining floors in a tall building. In oneembodiment, Company A and Company B have shareable slots on floors 64and 65; Company B and Company C have shareable slots on floors 56 and57; Company C and Company D have shareable slots on floors 48 and 49.

As shown on FIG. 13, at 9:00 AM, private elevator cab A2 has alreadyunloaded its Company A passengers on floor 65 and is now stored inCompany B's shareable slot on floor 64. Private cab A1 is loadingCompany A employees on floor 65 and is preparing to ascend to upperdestinations on Company A's adjoining floors. Private cab B1 has alreadyunloaded and loaded its Company B passengers on floor 57 and is nowascending to service Company B floors 60 through 64. Cab B2 is stored inCompany C's shareable slot on floor 56 and is beginning to move up toslot 57 to load Company B passengers destined for higher Company Badjoining floors. Private cab C1 is ascending to service Company Cfloors 54 through 56, and then it will be stored in Company B'sshareable slot on floor 57 after cab B2 moves up to slot 58. Private cabC2 has already picked up Company C passengers on floor 49 and isascending to service other Company C floors. Private cab D1 is justentering the shareable slot on floor 48 to unload Company D passengersand will then dock in Company C's shareable slot on floor 49 that cab C2has just vacated.

As shown on FIG. 13, at 9:05 A.M. private elevator cab D2 has justpicked up Company D passengers on floor 48 and is descending throughcompany D's private section of the hoistway to service lower Company Dadjoining floors. Private cab D1 is docked in Company C's shareable sloton floor 49, and is preparing to follow cab D1 down through Company D'sfloors. Private cab C2 has already serviced Company C's floors 56through 54 and is preparing to service Company C floors 53 through 50,and also floor 49 after cab D1 has exited that shareable slot. Privatecab C1 is docked in Company B's shareable slot on floor 57 and ispreparing to follow cab C2 down through Company C's adjoining floors.Private cab B2 has already serviced Company B's upper floors and isdescending through Company B's private section of the hoistway toservice Company B's lower floors until it docks in Company C's shareableslot on floor 56 after cab C1 has moved down to floor 55. Private cab B1has already vacated shareable slot 65, has picked up Company Bpassengers on floor 64 and is now descending to service lower Company Bfloors. Cab A2 has just unloaded Company A passengers on floor 65 andwill dock in Company B's sharable slot on floor 64 after cab B1 hasexited that slot. The motions of all of the above cabs are controlled bythe building's central elevator control system in conjunction withelectronic and optical sensors located on such cabs and within theprivate elevator hoistway S4, in one embodiment.

FIGS. 14A through 14G illustrate how one counterweight channel 410 canbe shared by the counterweights 120 of a plurality of elevator cabs, inone embodiment of the invention. This sharing of counterweight channels410 can decrease the necessary size for hoistways and/or increasepassenger capacity of the larger elevator cabs that can operate in agiven hoistway. In FIG. 12, counterweight channels extend from Floor 120down to Floor 1 in Shaft S4 (not illustrated). According to thefollowing embodiments, a 120-floor building may have all of thecounterweights connected to cab A1, cab B1, and cab C1 in Shaft S4sharing the same counterweight channels 410 for purposes of economy ofspace and in order to maximize the number of passengers that can betransported by each cab in the same elevator Shaft S4.

In an embodiment, as shown on FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, and FIG.14D, there are three vertical sections of the same counterweightchannel: 410A, 410B, and 410C. In this configuration, counterweight 120Ais positioned in a lower vertical section 410C, counterweight 120B ispositioned in a middle vertical section 410B, and counterweight 120C ispositioned in an upper vertical section 410A. The counterweight cables210A connected to counterweight 120A pass through vertical counterweightcable passages 1400B located on each side of counterweight 120Bconnected to cab B1 (not shown), and they also pass through even largervertical counterweight cable passages 1400C located on each side ofcounterweight 120C connected to cab C1 (not shown). Therefore,counterweight 120A and its associated counterweight cables 210A can moveindependently of the counterweights 120B and 120C up and down throughsection 410C of counterweight channel 410 between adjoining floors 80and 61 as shown on FIG. 12. Counterweight 120A can only move withinsection 410A of counterweight channel 410 if it is attached to apersonal elevator cab 110 that only moves through a certain section ofhoistway 100 that is associated with adjoining floors of a certainoccupant. See shaft S4 on FIG. 12. But if counterweight 120A is attachedto an elevator cab 110 that moves through the entire hoistway 100 in onedirection, then counterweight 120A can also move through the entirecounterweight channel 410 in one direction for the same distance as itsassociated elevator cab 110. See shaft S1 on FIG. 12.

In addition, counterweight cables 210B connected to counterweight 120Bcan pass through even larger vertical counterweight cable passages 1400Clocated on each side of counterweight 120C attached to cab C1 (notshown). Therefore, counterweight 120B and its associated counterweightcables 210B can move independently of counterweights 120A and 120C upand down section 410B of the counterweight channel 410 between adjoiningfloor 100 and floor 81 as shown on FIG. 12. Counterweight 120B can onlymove within section 410B of counterweight channel 410 if it is attachedto a personal elevator cab 110 that only moves through a certain sectionof hoistway 100 that is associated with adjoining floors of a certainoccupant. See shaft S4 on FIG. 12. But if counterweight 120B is attachedto an elevator cab 110 that moves through the entire hoistway 100 in onedirection, then counterweight 120B can also move through the entirecounterweight channel 410 in one direction for the same distance as itsassociated elevator cab 110. See shaft S1 on FIG. 12.

Naturally counterweight 120C and its associated counterweight cable 210Ccan also move independently of the other counterweights 120A and 120B upand down section 410A of counterweight channel 410 between adjoiningfloor 120 and floor 101 as shown on FIG. 12, because there are nocounterweights 120 or counterweight cables 210 in section 410A of thecommon counterweight channel 410 that could obstruct its motion.Counterweight 120C can only move within section 410A of counterweightchannel 410 if it is attached to a personal elevator cab 110 that onlymoves through a certain section of hoistway 100 that is associated withadjoining floors of a certain occupant. See shaft S4 on FIG. 12. But ifcounterweight 120C is attached to an elevator cab 110 that moves throughthe entire hoistway 100 in one direction, then counterweight 120C canalso move through the entire counterweight channel 410 in one directionfor the same distance as its associated elevator cab 110. See shaft S1on FIG. 12.

All of the counterweights 120 are separated vertically from each other,and all of the counterweight cables 210 are separated horizontally fromeach other. One end of the above described counterweight cables 210 isattached to an associated counterweight connection point 240 located ontheir associated cabs 110 (not shown) and the other end of such cables210 is attached to an associated counterweight connecting eye 350located on the top of their associated counterweights 120.

In another embodiment, the counterweights 120 (not shown) of privateelevator cabs D1, E1 and F1 as shown on FIG. 12 can also share the samecounterweight channel 410 in the same manner as described above.

The side view of shaft S4 (FIG. 14A) illustrates a counterweight 120A(connected to cab A1) located in Company C's section of shaft S4, acounterweight 120B (connected to cab B1) located in Company B's sectionof shaft S4, and a counterweight 120C (connected to cab C1) located inCompany A's section of shaft S4. All of the counterweights 120 can moveindependently of all of the other counterweights 120 and theirassociated counterweight cables 210, because none of such counterweightcables 210 are in contact with or interfere with the motions of any ofsuch counterweights 120 or such counterweight cables 210. All of suchcounterweight cables 210A pass through the vertical counterweight cablepassages 1400C and 1400B located respectively on counterweights 120C and120B. Similarly, no counterweight 120 can collide with or interfere withany other counterweight 120 because each counterweight 120 can only movea limited distance in one direction through counterweight channel 410between vertically adjoining floors (i.e. its vertical section) of the120-floor building as shown on FIG. 12.

FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C and FIG. 14D show the top view of each respectivecounterweight 120 which is moving through counterweight channel 410located in Shaft S4. In an embodiment, a counterweight 120A (which isconnected to cab A1 in Shaft S4) is guided through section 410C ofcounterweight channel 410. Two counterweight cables 210A (shown on FIG.14A) are attached to counterweight cable connecting eyes 350A, one eyeon each side of counterweight 120A. In a second embodiment,counterweight 120B (which is connected to cab B1 in Shaft S4) is guidedthrough section 410B of counterweight channel 410. Two counterweightcables 210B (shown on FIG. 14A) are attached to counterweight cableconnecting eyes 350B, one eye at each middle position of counterweight120B. In a third embodiment, counterweight 120C (which is connected tocab C1 in Shaft S4) is guided through section 410A of counterweightchannel 410. One counterweight cable 210C (shown on FIG. 14A) isattached to the counterweight cable connecting eye 350C located at thecenter of counterweight 120C, because there are no other counterweightslocated or moving above counterweight 120C that could interfere with itscenter located counterweight cable 210C.

In one embodiment, the two counterweight cables 210A (connected to cabA1) pass through vertical counterweight cable passages 1400B located oneither side of the middle of counterweight 120B and also through evenlarger vertical counterweight cable passages 1400C located on eitherside of the middle of counterweight 120C. These vertical counterweightcable passages enable counterweight 120A to move up and down throughsection 410C of counterweight channel 410 without obstruction andindependently of the motions of counterweights 120B and 120C which sharethe same counterweight channel 410. Similarly, the two counterweightcables 210B (connected to cab B1) also pass through verticalcounterweight cable passages 1400C located on either side of the middleof counterweight 120C. These larger vertical counterweight cablepassages 1400C enable counterweight 120B to move up and down throughsection 410B of counterweight channel 410 without obstruction andindependently of the motions of counterweights 120A and 120C which sharethe same counterweight channel 410. FIG. 14F illustrates all of theabove elements and embodiments from a different three dimensionalperspective.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, counterweight 120A is shown asa certain size, counterweight 120B is shown as slightly larger thancounterweight 120A in order to account for the loss of weight ofcounterweight 120B due to its two vertical counterweight cable passages1400B, and counterweight 120C is shown as slightly larger thancounterweight 120B in order to account for the greater loss of weight ofcounterweight 120C due to its two even larger counterweight cablepassages 1400C.

FIG. 14F and FIG. 14G illustrate how the counterweight cables 210 shownon FIG. 14A through 14E are routed in an embodiment up and over pulleys140 positioned at the top of a section of the counterweight channel 410,and then are attached to each counterweight cable connection point 240located along a top side of each cab 110A, 110B, and 110C. In anembodiment, the right counterweight cable 210A1-attached tocounterweight 120A is routed up through the right counterweight cablepassage 1400B and the right counterweight cable passage 1400C (asillustrated on FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D), then up and over rearpulley 140A1, across the top of a section of counterweight channel 410to front pulley 140A1, then over front pulley 140A1, and down hoistway100, and then is attached to counterweight connection point 240A locatedon a top side of cab 110A, as shown on FIGS. 14F and 14G. The leftcounterweight cable 210A2 attached to counterweight 120A is routedthrough the left counterweight cable passage 1400B and the leftcounterweight cable passage 1400C (as shown on FIGS. 14A through 14D),then up and over rear pulley 140A2, across the top of a section ofcounterweight channel 410 to front pulley 140A2, then over front pulley140A2, and down hoistway 100, and then is also attached to counterweightconnection point 240A, as shown on FIGS. 14F and 14G.

Similarly, the right counterweight cable 210B1 attached to counterweight120B is routed up and through the right counterweight cable passage1400C, then up and over rear pulley 140B1, across the top of a sectionof counterweight channel 410 to front pulley 140B1, then over frontpulley 140B1, and down hoistway 100, and then is attached tocounterweight connection point 240B located on a top side of cab 110B,all as shown on FIGS. 14A to 14G. The left counterweight cable 210B2 isrouted up and through the left counterweight cable passage 1400C, thenup and over rear pulley 140B2, across the top of a section ofcounterweight channel 410 to front pulley 140B2, and over front pulley140B2, and down hoistway 100, and then is attached to counterweightconnection point 240B, located on cab 110B, all as shown on FIGS. 14A to14G.

Counterweight cable 210C attached to counterweight 120C is routed up andover rear pulley 140C, across the top of a section of counterweightchannel 410 to front pulley 140C, then over front pulley 140C, and downhoistway 100, and then it is attached to counterweight connection point240C, located on cab 110C, all as shown on FIGS. 14A to 14G. All of thecounterweight cables 210 and their associated pulleys 140 are separatedhorizontally and/or vertically from each other, so as not to interferewith each other. In all of the above descriptions for FIGS. 14F and 14Gthe terms ‘rear’ and ‘front’ pulleys mean with respect to a certain cab.

It is also envisioned that a plurality of cabs (for example, ten ortwenty cabs) in an embodiment, using a system similar to the abovedescribed method of sharing counterweight channels, can utilize onlyfour counterweight channels for all of their counterweights in ahoistway of a tall building to service a plurality of separatelyadjoining floors or other floors (for example, two hundred or morefloors).

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D illustrate four elevator cabs 110A, 110B,110C and 110D aligned vertically one above the other in a hoistway 100,each with just two counterweights 120 positioned symmetrically on theopposite sides of each cab 110. For example as shown on FIG. 15A, thetop cab 110A has a counterweight 120A located within a counterweightchannel 410A aligned with a counterweight connection point 240A, and allof those elements are located next to the rear of the rear rightquadrant of cab 110A. One end of a counterweight cable 210A can beattached to a counterweight connection point 240A and the other end ofcable 210A can be attached to a top center of a counterweight 120A. Alsoas shown on FIG. 15A, cab 110A has a second counterweight 120A locatedwithin another counterweight channel 410A, and all of these elements arelocated next to the front of the front left quadrant of cab 110A. Oneend of a counterweight cable 210A can be attached to another connectionpoint 240A and the other end of cable 210A can be attached to a topcenter of another counterweight 120A. All of these elements arepositioned symmetrically with respect to each other and operate inunison.

As shown on FIG. 15B, cab 110B (positioned next below cab 110A) has acounterweight 120B located within a counterweight channel 410B alignedwith counterweight connection point 240B, and all of these elements arelocated next to the front of the rear right quadrant of cab 110B. Oneend of a counterweight cable 210B can be attached to a counterweightconnection point 240B, and the other end of cable 210B can be attachedto a top center of a counterweight 120B. Also as shown on FIG. 15B, cab110B has a second counterweight 120B located within anothercounterweight channel 410B, and all of these elements are located nextto the rear of the front left quadrant of cab 110B. One end of acounterweight cable 210B can be attached to another connection point240B and the other end of cable 210B can be attached to a top center ofanother counterweight 120B. All of these elements are positionedsymmetrically with respect to each other and operate in unison.

As shown on FIG. 15C, cab 110C (positioned next below cab 110B) has acounterweight 120C located within a counterweight channel 410C alignedwith counterweight connection point 240C, and all of such elements arelocated next to the front of the rear left quadrant of cab 110C. One endof a counterweight cable 210C can be attached to a counterweightconnection point 240C and the other end of cable 210C can be attached toa top center of another counterweight 120C. Also as shown on FIG. 15C,cab 110C has a second counterweight 120C located within anothercounterweight channel 410C, and all of these elements are located nextto the rear of the front right quadrant of cab 110C. One end of acounterweight cable 210C can be attached to the connection point 240Cand the other end of cable 210C can be attached to a top center ofanother counterweight 120C. All of such elements are positionedsymmetrically with respect to each other and operate in unison.

As shown on FIG. 15D, the bottom cab 110D has a counterweight 120Dlocated within a counterweight channel 410D aligned with counterweightconnection point 240D, and all of such elements are located next to therear of the rear left quadrant of cab 110D. One end of a counterweightcable 210D can be attached to the counterweight connection point 240Dand the other end of cable 210D can be attached to a top center ofcounterweight 120D. Also as shown on FIG. 15D, cab 110D has a secondcounterweight 120D located within another counterweight channel 410D,and all of these elements are located next to the front of the frontright quadrant of cab 110D. One end of another counterweight cable 210Dcan be attached to another connection point 240D and the other end ofcable 210D can be attached to a top center of another counterweight120D. All of these elements are positioned symmetrically with respect toeach other and operate in unison.

All of the elements described in FIG. 15A to FIG. 15D (other than cabs)are separated horizontally with respect to each other so as not tointerfere with one another. Each of the counterweight channels 410 canbe attached to a hoistway wall 800 located on opposite sides of ahoistway 100. Each of the cabs 110 can move independently of the othersthroughout hoistway 100 with only two counterweights 120 symmetricallyconnected to each of such cabs 110 instead of four counterweights aspreviously described. Each cab 110 can be guided along two opposingguide tracks 230 by two or more guide apparatuses 220 attached to eachexterior side 430 of each cab 110.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D illustrate four elevator cabs 110A, 110B,110C, and 110D aligned vertically one above the other in a hoistway 100,each with just one counterweight 120 positioned symmetrically on oneside of each cab 110, and with one motor lift cable 136 positionedsymmetrically on the opposite side of each cab 110. For example in FIG.16A the top cab 110A has one counterweight 120A located within acounterweight channel 410A aligned with a counterweight connection point240A, and all of these elements are located next to the rear of the rearright quadrant of cab 110A. One end of a counterweight cable 210A can beattached to a counterweight connection point 240A and the other end ofcable 210A can be attached to a top center of counterweight 120A. Also,as shown on FIG. 16A, cab 110A has a lift motor connection point 150Aattached to the front of the front left quadrant of cab 110A. One end ofa lift motor cable 136A can be attached to the motor lift connectionpoint 150A and the other end of cable 136A can be wound around a shaftof a dedicated lift motor 130A located in the attic 810 of a building(not shown). As motor 130A pulls the cab 110A up or down in the hoistway100 counterweight 120A stabilizes and balances one side of cab 110A asit moves through the hoistway 100, and lift motor cable 136A providesboth the function of pulling the cab 110 in a certain direction of thehoistway 100, and the function of stabilizing and balancing the otherside of the cab 110A as it moves through the hoistway 100. All of theseelements are positioned symmetrically with respect to each other andoperate in unison.

As shown on FIG. 16B, cab 110B (positioned next below cab 110A) has onecounterweight 120B located within a counterweight channel 410B alignedwith a counterweight connection point 240B, and all of these elementsare located next to the front of the rear right quadrant of cab 110B.One end of a counterweight cable 210B can be attached to a counterweightconnection point 240B and the other end of cable 210B can be attached toa top center of counterweight 120B. Also, as shown on FIG. 16B, cab 110Bhas a lift motor connection point 150B attached to the rear of the frontleft quadrant of cab 110B. One end of a lift motor cable 136B can beattached to the lift motor connection point 150B and the other end ofcable 136B can be wound around a shaft of the dedicated lift motor 130Blocated in the attic 810 of the building (not shown). As lift motor 130Bpulls cab 110B up or down in the hoistway 100 counterweight 120Bstabilizes and balances one side of cab 110B as it moves through thehoistway 100, and lift motor cable 136B provides both the function ofpulling cab 110 in a certain direction of the hoistway 100, and thefunction of stabilizing and balancing the other side of the cab 110B asit moves through the hoistway 100. All of these elements are positionedsymmetrically with respect to each other and operate in unison.

As shown on FIG. 16C, cab 110C (positioned next below cab 110B) has acounterweight 120C located within a counterweight channel 410C alignedwith counterweight connection point 240C, and all of these elements arelocated next to the rear of the front right quadrant of cab 110C. Oneend of a counterweight cable 210C can be attached to a counterweightconnection point 240C and the other end of the cable 210C can beattached to a top center of counterweight 120C. Also, as shown on FIG.16C, cab 110C has a lift motor connection point 150C attached to thefront of the rear left quadrant of cab 110C. One end of a lift motorcable 136C can be attached to the lift motor connection point 150C andthe other end of cable 136C can be wound around a shaft of the dedicatedlift motor 130C located in the attic 810 of the building (not shown). Aslift motor 130C pulls cab 110C up or down in the hoistway 100 thecounterweight 120C stabilizes and balances one side of cab 110C as itmoves through the hoistway 100, and lift motor cable 136C provides boththe function of pulling the cab 110 in a certain direction of thehoistway 100 and the function of stabilizing and balancing the otherside of cab 110C as it moves through the hoistway 100. All of theseelements are positioned symmetrically with respect to each other andoperate in unison.

As shown on FIG. 16D, the bottom cab 110D has a counterweight 120Dlocated within a counterweight channel 410D aligned with counterweightconnection point 240D, and all of these elements are located next to thefront of the front right quadrant of cab 110D. One end of acounterweight cable 210D can be attached to a counterweight connectionpoint 240D and the other end of cable 210D can be attached to a topcenter of counterweight 120D. Also, as shown on FIG. 16D, cab 110D has alift motor connection point 150D attached to the rear of the rear leftquadrant of cab 110D. One end of a lift motor cable 136D can be attachedto the lift motor connection point 150D and the other end of cable 136Dcan be wound around a shaft of the dedicated lift motor 130D located inthe attic 810 of the building (not shown). As the lift motor 130D pullscab 110D up or down in the hoistway 100 the counterweight 120Dstabilizes and balances one side of cab 110D as it moves through thehoistway 100, and lift motor cable 136D provides both the function ofpulling the cab 110 in a certain direction of the hoistway 100, and thefunction of stabilizing and balancing the other side of the cab 110D asit moves through the hoistway 100. All of these elements are positionedsymmetrically with respect to each other and operate in unison.

All of the elements described in FIG. 16A to FIG. 16D (other than cabs)are separated horizontally with respect to each other so as not tointerfere with one another. Each of the counterweight channels 410 canbe attached to a hoistway wall 800 located on opposite sides of thehoistway 100. Each of the cabs 110 can move independently of the othersthroughout hoistway 100 with only one counterweight 120 symmetricallyconnected to such cab 110 instead of two or four counterweights aspreviously described. Each cab 110 can be guided along two opposingguide tracks 230 by two or more guide apparatuses 220 attached to eachexterior side 430 of each cab 110.

A computer control system described in U.S. Provisional Application No.61/829,996, filed May 31, 2013, controls the motions, destinations,breaking and other functions of the elevator cabs 110 in each hoistway100.

While particular embodiments and applications of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the precise construction and componentsdisclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variationsmay be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methodsand apparatuses of the present invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as it is defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An elevator system comprising: one or more elevator shafts; two or more elevator cabs positioned within each of said one or more elevator shafts, said two or more elevator cabs including at least a first elevator cab positioned above a second elevator cab, each of said two or more cabs having at least two walls that are substantially parallel to each other; a set of two or more cables connected to each elevator cab, at least one of said cables positioned on a first parallel wall of each elevator cab and at least another of said cables positioned on a second parallel wall of each elevator cab; and one or more counterweights connected to each cab.
 2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein each of said cables is horizontally separated from each other.
 3. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein each elevator cab further comprising: one or more dedicated lift motors, one or more lift cables, and one or more lift cable pulleys, each lift cable capable of moving an associated elevator cab in a certain direction in response to activation of an associated lift motor.
 4. The elevator system of claim 3, wherein the lift cable attached to each cab is located as near as possible to a guide attached to either the first parallel wall or the second parallel wall of said cab.
 5. The elevator system of claim 3, wherein during movement of each cab, no portion of any cable is stored.
 6. The elevator system of claim 3, wherein said first lift motor cable is located at a symmetrical location on an exterior of a third wall of an elevator cab, and said second lift motor cable is located at a symmetrical location on an exterior of a fourth wall of said elevator cab, wherein the third and fourth walls of said cab are substantially parallel.
 7. The elevator system of claim 3, wherein a first lift motor cable and a second lift motor cable are each connected by pulleys to the same lift motor, and said lift motor pulls said first and second lift motor cables in unison.
 8. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein all elevator cabs only move in a same direction through an elevator shaft.
 9. The elevator system of claim 8, wherein one or more elevator cabs are stored in one or more attic elevator shaft slots and in one or more basement elevator shaft slots so that each occupied floor in a building is accessible by all elevator cabs.
 10. The elevator system of claim 8, wherein one or more elevator cabs can be stored in one or more attic elevator shaft slots or in one or more basement elevator shaft slots so that each occupied floor in a building is accessible by all elevator cabs.
 11. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein each of said elevator cabs further comprising: one or more guides, positioned on said first parallel wall, for engaging a first vertical track located on a substantially parallel first shaft wall of a first elevator shaft; and one or more guides, positioned on said second parallel wall, for engaging a second vertical track located on an opposing substantially parallel second shaft wall of said first elevator shaft.
 12. The elevator system of claim 11, wherein each guide further comprising: a wheel, an axle and a U-shaped prong with a first arm and a second arm, wherein the axle is positioned through a center of the wheel and is attached to each arm of the prong, wherein the guide engages with a respective vertical track from either the first vertical track or the second vertical track, so that the wheel rolls along said respective vertical track while said respective vertical track is positioned between each arm of the prong, thus guiding the elevator cab along said respective vertical track through an elevator shaft.
 13. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the guide further comprising two washers wherein a first washer is positioned around the axel and between the wheel and said first arm of the prong, and a second washer is positioned around the axel and between the wheel and said second arm of the prong.
 14. The elevator system of claim 11, wherein said first vertical track is positioned substantially along a center axis of said first shaft wall and said second vertical track is positioned substantially along a center axis of said second shaft wall.
 15. The elevator system of claim 14, wherein each of said cables is horizontally and vertically separated from each other.
 16. The elevator system of claim 14, wherein one or more of said cables is connected to a lift motor, and one or more of said cables is connected by a pulley to a counterweight.
 17. The elevator system of claim 16, wherein each cable is comprised of carbon fiber.
 18. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising a set of pulleys, each pulley positioned to engage one cable of each set of two or more cables.
 19. The elevator system of claim 18, wherein two or more cables are each connected to a separate counterweight.
 20. The elevator system of claim 19, wherein each cable is comprised of carbon fiber.
 21. The elevator system of claim 19, wherein said counterweights are positioned symmetrically along two opposing sides of an elevator cab.
 22. The elevator system of claim 19, further comprising a set of two or more counterweight channels, wherein each counterweight channel guides one separate counterweight through an elevator shaft and is horizontally separated from every other counterweight channel, and each counterweight and counterweight channel is positioned external to a vertical path of the elevator cabs in each elevator shaft.
 23. The elevator system of claim 22, wherein a set of counterweights channels is attached to two or more elevator shaft walls, a first subset of counterweight channels is attached to a first parallel elevator shaft wall and a second subset of counterweight channels is attached to a second parallel elevator shaft wall.
 24. The elevator system of claim 22, wherein two or more counterweights and counterweight channels are positioned side by side or back to back along two opposing sides of an elevator shaft permitting two or more elevator cabs to move independently through the same shaft.
 25. The elevator system of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of counterweights moving independently in different vertical sections of a counterweight channel.
 26. The elevator system of claim 25, wherein the counterweight channel is shareable by two or more counterweights moving independently of each other in the same counterweight channel, wherein an upper counterweight is aligned vertically above a lower counterweight.
 27. The elevator system of claim 26, wherein cables attached to the lower counterweight in the counterweight channel pass through counterweight passages in the upper counterweight so that two or more counterweights can move independently of each other in different vertical sections of the same counterweight channel and share the same counterweight channel.
 28. The elevator system of claim 22, wherein one or more of said cables connected to an associated counterweight is attached to a connection point which extends from an exterior of said first parallel wall of each elevator cab, and one or more of said cables connected to an associated counterweight is attached to a connection point which extends from an exterior of said second parallel wall of each elevator cab.
 29. The elevator system of claim 28, wherein each connection point is shifted horizontally or vertically away from every other connection point.
 30. The elevator system of claim 29, wherein each elevator cab from a top plan view is sectioned into quadrants and a same number of said connection points are located on each parallel wall that is positioned within each quadrant of each elevator cab.
 31. The elevator system of claim 30, wherein each adjacent connection point that is located within each quadrant is separated by the same uniform distance.
 32. The elevator system of claim 31, wherein one end of each cable that is connected to an associated counterweight is connected to its associated connection point on a cab and the other end is connected to a top center of its associated counterweight.
 33. The elevator system of claim 32, wherein each connection point is positioned at the end of an element which extends from the exterior of each parallel wall of each cab and away from said vertical path of elevator cabs.
 34. The elevator system of claim 33, wherein the cable connection point on each cab is in a shape of a rod that extends outward from an exterior wall of the cab.
 35. The elevator system of claim 33, wherein the set of two or more cables for each cab comprising a set of four cables and each cable is connected to a separate counterweight.
 36. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein the top center of each counterweight is aligned with its associated connection point, aligned with its associated counterweight cable, aligned with an associated counterweight pulley, aligned with a top center of an associated counterweight channel, and said counterweight moves in a second vertical path which is external to the vertical path of the respective elevator cabs moving in the same elevator shaft.
 37. The elevator system of claim 36, wherein one-half of the counterweights, channels, cables and pulleys are aligned along a parallel first shaft wall of a first elevator shaft, and the remaining one-half are aligned along an opposing parallel second shaft wall of the first elevator shaft.
 38. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein ten or more elevator cabs are vertically aligned in the first elevator shaft and each elevator cab can move independently of each other in different sections of the first elevator shaft.
 39. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein twenty or more elevator cabs are vertically aligned in the first elevator shaft and each elevator cab can move independently of each other in different sections of the first elevator shaft.
 40. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein the set of two or more cables for each cab comprising: a first set of forty cables, each of which is connected to an associated counterweight and is attached to an associated connection point which extends from an exterior of said first parallel wall of each of twenty or more elevator cabs, and a second set of forty cables each of which is connected to an associated counterweight and is attached to an associated connection point which extends from an exterior of said second parallel wall of each of twenty or more elevator cabs.
 41. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein each elevator cab further comprising: one or more data cables, and one or more electric power cables.
 42. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein two cables of said set of four cables are connected to associated counterweights which are positioned on the first parallel wall of each elevator cab and the other two cables of said set of four cables are connected to associated counterweights which are positioned on the second parallel wall of each elevator cab.
 43. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein two or more elevator cabs are vertically aligned above a plurality of additional elevator cabs, each of the plurality of additional elevator cabs having two cables connected to each parallel side of said additional cab and each cable is also connected to an associated counterweight.
 44. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein four or more counterweights and counterweight channels are positioned side by side or back to back along two opposing sides of an elevator shaft permitting two or more elevator cabs to move independently through the same shaft.
 45. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein twenty or more counterweights and counterweight channels are positioned side by side or back to back along two opposing sides of an elevator shaft permitting ten or more elevator cabs to move independently through the same shaft.
 46. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein forty or more counterweights and counterweight channels are positioned side by side or back to back along two opposing sides of an elevator shaft permitting twenty or more elevator cabs to move independently through the same shaft.
 47. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein counterweights and counterweight channels are constructed in different shapes in order to maximize the number of elevator cabs operable in a shaft.
 48. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein all cables, counterweights, channels and pulleys are positioned symmetrically and shifted horizontally from each other in order to achieve optimum balance of cabs and so as not to interfere with each other.
 49. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein a plurality of elevator cabs can only move different limited distances through a shaft allowing passengers to transfer to other cabs in other shafts in order to travel from a top occupied floor to a bottom occupied floor in a building, whereby eliminating the need for elevator shaft storage slots.
 50. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein a cab is expressed from a ground floor to an upper floor, whereby the expressed cab services a group of local upper floors and then expresses back to the ground floor.
 51. The elevator system of claim 35, wherein an elevator shaft is dedicated to and restricted to multiple private elevator cabs for exclusive use by occupants of multiple adjoining floors in a building, so that each private elevator cab only moves independently among such adjoining floors.
 52. The elevator system of claim 51, further comprising two private elevator cabs for each occupant that occupies multiple adjoining floors in a building, wherein there is a first shareable elevator slot and a second shareable elevator slot for said multiple adjoining floors, which can be shared by neighboring private elevators at different times. 